NJ.com: Richie Sambora, who has struggled with drug abuse in the past, will perform at a Toms River drug forum later this month designed to combat overdoses from heroin and prescription painkillers.

A spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office says Sambora, who grew up in Woodbridge and appears to be on leave from Bon Jovi since dropping out of the band's last tour, was inspired to write a new song for the May 27 event after attending a previous drug forum in Ocean County.

"He felt the first thing he needed to do was make people aware of the people that were dying," says spokesman Al Della Fave.

Thanks to Sambora's participation, organizers are expecting as many as 5,000 people to attend the forum at Pine Belt Arena, which also includes presentations by Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, Douglas S. Collier, the drug initiative coordinator for the state Attorney General's Office, Nancy Joyce of CanUHearMe.org, whose daughter died from a drug overdose, and the Morella family of West Milford, whose son, Jesse, suffered severe brain damage after snorting heroin when he was 15. It was his first time using the drug.

"Richie Sambora's participation will help us reach a far greater audience with a true and lasting message regarding the tragic consequences of drug addition," Coronato says.

The drug epidemic may be turning the corner at the Jersey Shore; there were 47 drug overdoses in the first five months of the year in 2013, and this year, the number is down to 26, though Della Fave says, "We're not pounding our chest yet."

The forum, titled "Can We Talk ... Are you Listening?" is for parents, guardians and students, although anyone can attend. Those interested should register here . It's free but tickets are limited.

The event is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be food vendors and food trucks outside the arena, and an anti-drug presentation by bicycle stunt rider Chris Clark.